Sports Management Podcast

The host @FilipssonMarcus talks to experienced & interesting sports management professionals. Voted Top 3 Sports Business Podcast | Media Partner @SIGAlliance

[Sports Management Podcast @Sportsmpodcast]

🥉VOTED 3rd BEST SPORTS BUSINESS PODCAST

Thanks to everyone who voted!

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐀?

I think Lise Klaveness should be in the conversation.

After interviewing Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation, one thing stood out to me:

She doesn’t seem particularly interested in power. Perhaps that is exactly why she should have more of it.

Klaveness became the first female president of the Norwegian Football Federation in its 120-year history in 2022. But remarkably, she initially didn’t even want the job.

When she was first approached, her answer was:

“No, hell no. I really don’t want that.”

She eventually accepted because, in her words, she felt “a call to duty.”

That tells you something about her leadership philosophy.

She also told me:

“Power is borrowed.”

Leadership positions in football shouldn’t be about building personal empires. The power belongs to the game, its federations, clubs, players and supporters. Leaders are temporarily entrusted with it.

Klaveness has also demonstrated something that can be uncomfortable in international sports politics: a willingness to speak publicly when she believes something is wrong.

Just weeks after becoming president in 2022, she stood on stage at the FIFA Congress in Doha and challenged FIFA and Qatar over human rights, LGBTQ+ rights and the treatment of migrant workers.

When I asked her about balancing speaking openly with potentially building a career within FIFA, she told me:

“I have no personal ambitions.”

And added:

“I wouldn’t want to work where working transparently would stop such a career.”

Imagine that philosophy at the top of world football.

Of course, being FIFA President requires more than challenging the establishment.

Klaveness herself acknowledged this during our conversation. She spoke about learning when to be tactical, respecting cultural differences and recognizing that being direct isn’t always the most effective way to create change.

That combination is what makes her interesting to me.

Principled - but increasingly pragmatic.

Outspoken - but willing to listen.

Ambitious for football - without appearing obsessed with personal advancement.

And she has lived the sport from several completely different perspectives:

- Professional footballer.
- Norwegian international.
- Lawyer and deputy judge.
- Football executive.
- Technical director.
- Federation president.

And now a significant voice within international football governance.

Would Lise Klaveness actually want to become FIFA President one day?

I don’t know.

But when the Gianni Infantino era eventually comes to an end, football will have to decide what type of leadership it wants next.

And I think Lise Klaveness deserves to be part of that conversation.

Maybe it should be the person who sees power for what it should be: Borrowed.

What do you think?

Could Lise Klaveness be a future FIFA President?

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

Would you pay $2.5 / month to support a podcast you like?

[Sports Management Podcast @Sportsmpodcast]

Please take 2 min and rate the show on Spotify. It goes a long way!! 🙏

https://t.co/UX9PkZKqI5

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

The World Cup is dominated by 90% of players in pink boots from just two brands. It's become boring and stifles personality. Contrast this with players who embrace unique, hand-painted boots from smaller brands, showing true expression. #FootballFashion #SportsMarketing

[Christian Klaue @ChKlaue]

📌 What is it to prepare for the Winter Olympics and how is it onsite? Was invited to join three podcasts before and during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Enjoyed great conversations. Thanks to my hosts: @FilipssonMarcus from @Sportsmpodcast, @iamjoedonahue from @BirdsNestFB and Edem Spio from @africaBSP.

🔹 Sports Management Podcast, 5 February 2026, Inside the IOC - How the Olympic Games Are Built Years Before the Torch Is Lit: https://t.co/mQE0DH9V2n and https://t.co/JH9xHuIsOs

🔹 Birds Nest Media Podcast, 18 February 2026, IOC's Christian Klaue Talks Milano Cortina - https://t.co/luH8en3z9K

🔹 Africa Business of Sport Podcast, 19 February 2026: Milano Cortina 2026 - https://t.co/97aAh7LzhN

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

🎙️ How @Reebok ACTUALLY started

with founder Joe Foster

@Reebokfounder

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

🎙️ Sports Management Podcast

Dream guests for 2026, who would you want to hear from? 👇🏼

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

NBA Europe could be here by 2027 🏀

🎙️ New episode with @Sz1909_Szemberg

🚀 Topics:

• NBA’s entry to Europe
• If the NHL could follow
• How such leagues could be structured
• Financial and political implications

And much more!

#NBA #NHL

https://t.co/RMg3yMGyKP

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

5 years of conversations, learnings, networking and memories 🎙️

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

Soccer's already a major US sport, but will it be THE sport? With 80M+ fans and huge growth potential, the game's future in the US is massive. The only question left is, will it reach to the next level? #Soccer #MLS

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

🎙️ 200 Episodes. 5 Years. 180+ Guests. One Milestone. 🎉

Next week, the Sports Management Podcast reaches a landmark: The 200th episode.

To every guest, listener, supporter and person I've got to know on this journey: THANK YOU!

Here’s to the next 200 🌟

[AthensWFS @AthensWFS]

Episode 193 - Sports Management Podcast (@Sportsmpodcast):

@FilipssonMarcus Interviews Lindsey Eckhouse (Chief Revenue Officer) and Hannah Haynes (Chief Strategy Officer) of Mercury/13 ⚽️ https://t.co/BiRMizfsTf

Mercury/13 is a multi-club ownership group focused on acquiring controlling stakes in European professional women’s football teams (Como Women, etc.).

#Mercury13 #Investment #WoSo #WomensFootball #SportsManagementPodcast

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

New episode w/ @NiallCouper CEO of @FairGameUK

Topics:

• Good governance in football
• If Niall considers himself an activist
• Inventing the term “Sports Washing”
• Clubs facing extinction
• Unhealthy love of 90s indie music.

And more

https://t.co/9Xgu21EgDf

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

New episode w/ @linnealindmark

🚀 Topics:

• Founding Five 9 Sports Mgmt
• Where the name comes from
• What she wants to change in the football industry
• Passing the FIFA Agent exam
• What success means to Linnéa

And much more!

https://t.co/eSc0djQ67u

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

New episode w/ @marcosdelpilar - ”The Godfather of Padel”.

🚀 Topics:

• Padel in 🇺🇸
• The future of Padel
• Being homeless
• His upcoming book
• Making a better world through padel
• Netflix vs Padel

And much more!

#padel

https://t.co/gv9w2mW5A4

[Johanna Dahlén @johannadahleen]

Jag fick vara med i denna podd & dela med mig av min resa! 🏒🏀

Lyssna gärna! 🌟

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

New episode w/ @johannadahleen

🚀 Topics:

• Becoming a journalist
• Her crazy story from Beijing
• Critics on social media
• Woman in a male dominated field
• Biggest career dream outside of sports
• Why basketball is underrated

& more

https://t.co/1v9pOxtNcF

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 🎟

🎙️New episode with @KealBlache – VP of Partnerships at @vivenuhq

🚀 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀:
- The Future of Ticketing
- His work at vivenu
- Starting Sports, Media & Tech Pod
- #Pickleball

And much more! 😀
  https://t.co/N1cIYqQgDP

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

New episode w/ Elena Mirandola

🚀 Topics:

• CEO of FC Como
• Treating women’s football as a business
• FC Como’s partnership with @Nike
• Female empowerment
• Best advice for young people in sports
• Her vision for FC Como

And much more!

https://t.co/QnHxxxxQie

[Marcus Filipsson @FilipssonMarcus]

New episode w/ @robbiedouek - CEO of @BLASTPremier

🚀 Topics:

• Blast’s partnership with @AlpineF1Team
• The development of E-sports
• Learnings from traditional sport
• E-Sports vs Competitive Gaming
• 2024: Best year for E-Sports in UK

https://t.co/eaNSiBb7Ta